Head Roaster – Peoples Coffee
Based in the South West | Full-time | Salary: Competitive + bonus + benefits
About Peoples Coffee
Peoples Coffee is a coffee brand with a difference. We roast, serve, and share exceptional coffee that connects people — across the table, across communities, and across the world.
From our café and roastery in the South West, we’re building a new kind of coffee business: one rooted in purpose, powered by people, and fuelled by uncompromising quality.
We’re now looking for a Head Roaster to lead our coffee programme — someone who understands every stage of the bean’s journey and wants to use it to create something bigger.
The Role
As Head Roaster, you’ll take full ownership of our roasting operation. You’ll source, roast, and develop coffees that reflect both technical excellence and the Peoples Coffee identity — bold, beautiful, and unpretentious.
You’ll manage everything from green buying and roast profiling to QC, equipment maintenance, and R&D. This is a senior, hands-on role with space to shape the future of our coffee offering and help build a brand that does things differently.
Key Responsibilities
Roasting & Production
- Lead all aspects of daily and weekly coffee roasting
- Create and maintain roast profiles across our full range of coffees
- Carry out consistent QC cuppings and batch evaluations
- Oversee green coffee stock, planning, and storage
- Ensure precision, consistency, and cleanliness throughout production
Green Buying & Sourcing
- Manage green coffee relationships and sourcing with a focus on transparency, ethics, and quality
- Forecast green volumes based on sales and seasonal shifts
- Ensure traceability and sustainability are core to purchasing decisions
- Stay up to date on harvests, origin news, and producer stories
Quality Control & Development
- Run cuppings and training for internal staff and wholesale partners
- Develop flavour notes, brew recipes, and content to support storytelling
- Continuously refine profiles and test new processing styles, blends, and roasts
- Collaborate with baristas, chefs, and founders to ensure perfect alignment from bean to cup
Roastery Operations
- Maintain and calibrate roasting equipment (e.g. Loring, Probat, Diedrich, or similar)
- Manage production schedules, fulfilment, and packaging processes
- Support the setup of future roasting facilities or scale-up planning
- Implement systems to track performance, waste, and inventory
What We’re Looking For
- 3+ years roasting experience with a deep understanding of production and profiling
- Expertise across a wide range of origins, processing methods, and roast styles
- Passionate about flavour, nuance, and storytelling through coffee
- Strong understanding of sourcing, cupping protocols, and green coffee markets
- Organised, detail-driven, and able to lead a small team or solo operation
- Comfortable with both the craft and the commercial side of coffee
- Bonus: barista background, Q Grader, SCA certifications, or green buying experience
What We Offer
- Full control of a growing, purpose-led roasting operation
- Creative and strategic input in brand development, packaging, and product
- Direct relationships with producers, suppliers, and customers
- Competitive salary, bonus opportunities, and access to professional development
- A collaborative team culture in a beautiful space, where coffee comes first
- Flexible working and the chance to be part of something truly meaningful
To Apply
Send your CV, roast experience, and a short note or cupping report to tom@peoplescoffee.co.uk.
We’re open to candidates relocating for the role and we welcome diverse voices in coffee — especially those who are passionate about building a more inclusive, transparent industry.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: In person